Napkin dispenser and menu holder



Nov. 11 1924. 1,515,238

w. BAKER NAPKIN DISPENSER AND MENU HOLDER Filed Feb. 21. 1923 Patented Nov. 11, 1924.

UNETEQ 'f'A i. FAT

WILLIAM L. BAKER, 0F GOLGONDA, ILLINOIS.

NAPKIN DISPENSER AND MENU HOLDER.

Appflication filed February 21, 1923. Serial No. 620,414.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that LYVILLIAM L. BAKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Golconda, in the county of Pope and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Napkin Dispensers and Menu Holders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will en able others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The invention provides a device for use at a table or counter for receiving and dispensing napkins and for holding a menu or like card, and has for its primary object to materially reduce the cost of paper napkins generally used in cafes, lunch rooms and public places for dispensing food and at the same time protecting the napkins from dust and promiscuous handling.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent and suggest themselves as the nature of the invention is understood.

While the drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that in adapting the same to meet different conditions and requirements, various changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the nature of the invention.

{Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part of the application,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a napkin dispenser and menu holder embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section thereof,

Figure 3 a transverse section, and

Figure & is a detail sectional view showing the antifriction connection between the base and upright.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and designated in the several views of the drawings by like reference characters.

The device embodies a stand including a base 1, an upright 2 and a rest 3. These parts may be of any form and construction.

The napkin holder embodies a casing preferably of cylindrical form and open at one side. The body of the casing is of sectional formation and comprises a bottom 4 and sides 5 and. 6 hinged to opposite sides of the bottom 4, the side 5 closing the back and a portion ofv the top and the side 6 closing the 'lov'rer portion of the front the upper portion of the front being open to admit of the dispensing of the map kins and for proper manipulation of the cutter. The end 7 of the casing is fixed, being rigidly attached to one end of the bottom section 4, whereas the end 8 is hinged to the opposite end of the bottom 4, whereby to facilitate the placing of a roll of napkins within the casing and the removal of the spool when empty. A shaft 9 is journaled in the heads 7 and 8 and opposite end portions thereof are threaded to receive nuts 10 between which the spool 11 containing the roll 12 of napkins is clamped, whereby rotation of the shaft effects a corresponding rotation of the spool 11 and roll 12, whereby to feed the napkins. A ratchet wheel 13 is secured to one end of the shaft 9 adjacent the inner side of the head 7 and a pawl 14 pivoted to the head 7 cooperates with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 13 to prevent backward rotation of the roll 12 after the same has been turned to effect delivery of a. portion thereof corresponding to a napkin. A knob 15, or like finger piece, is applied to the projecting end of the shaft 9 whereby to positively rotate the same to feed the strip of paper from the roll 12 corresponding to a napkin.

A paper cutter 16 is disposed within the casing opposite the opening in the side thereof and is pivotally mounted upon a rod 17 which passes through the hinged end 8 and engages the end 7 by means of a screw thread connection, whereby to hold the end 8 in closed position. The cutter 16 preferably consists of a plate outwardly curved intermediate its longitudinal edges. A strip 18 is provided upon the inner side of the cutter 16 adjacent its cutting edge and I rides upon theroll of paper 12 as the same is unwound to obtain a length to provide a napkin, the required portion being severed by drawing the same across the edge of the cutter 16. I

The menu holder 19 is preferably disposed upon the top of the casing and consists of a spring clip which may be of any preferred form adapted to detachably engage a card or analogous article for displaying a bill of fare. I

The upright 2 is mounted for rotatable movement relative to the base 1, the corn nection between these elements involving antifriction bearings as clearly shown in Figure 4 of the drawings.

hat is claimed is:

1. In a. device of the character specified, a sectional casing comprising a bottom, sides hinged to opposite edge portions of the bottom and adapted when closed to leave an opening in a side of the casing, an end rigidly connected to the bottom, a second end hingedly connected to the opposite end of the bottom, a rod engaging the ends to hold them in closed position and a cutter pivoteily mounted upon the rod and dis posed opposite the opening in the side of the casing.

2. To a device of: the class described, a casing having an opening in one side, 21 closure piste rigidly connected to the easing at one of its ends, a second closure piste hingediy connected to the opposite end of: the casing, a rod engaging the two pistes to hold the hinged closing plate in its closed position, and cutter pivotaiiy mounted on said rod ant disposed to close the opening in the side oi": the casing.

in testimony Whereo'i 1 etiix my signeture in presence oi" two Witnesses.

WILLIAM L.

Witnesses:

M. L. IViGCLUm-J LnLiA BARNES! 

